Next Dalai Lama Will Be Chosen by Tibetan Institution, Not China: Kiren Rijiju

Dharamshala, July 4: In a strong message to China, Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday asserted that the succession of the Dalai Lama will be determined solely by the established Tibetan Buddhist institution and the spiritual leader himself. Rijiju emphasized that no external authority, including any nation, has the right to interfere in the religious process.

This marks the first official response by a senior Indian government leader following recent remarks by the 14th Dalai Lama, who stated that the institution of the Dalai Lama would continue, and only the Gaden Phodrang Trust would have the authority to recognize his future reincarnation.

Speaking to reporters, Rijiju said, “The Dalai Lama is the most important and defining institution for Buddhists. The process of his reincarnation will follow the established conventions and will be in accordance with his own wishes.” He added, “Nobody else has the right to decide it.”

Rijiju’s statement comes in direct response to China’s rejection of the Dalai Lama’s succession plan. Beijing has claimed that any future Dalai Lama must receive Chinese government approval, a stance that has drawn international criticism.

The minister, who is himself a practising Buddhist, is currently in Dharamshala alongside Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh to represent the Government of India at the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday celebration, held on July 3.

Calling it a religious and cultural event, Rijiju clarified that the celebration should not be viewed through a political lens.

The 14th Dalai Lama, a Nobel Peace Laureate, remains a revered figure among Tibetan Buddhists and followers of the Nalanda tradition, and continues to be a symbol of Tibetan identity and resilience.

Edit By Choba Tripura